Joe DiMaggio begins his legendary 56 game hitting streak. It ended July 17 after 91 hits for a .408 average, 15 home runs, and 55 runs drove in. He recorded at least one hit in each of the 56 games. DiMaggio's streak surpassed the record of 44 consecutive games held by Willie Keeler since 1897. DiMaggio's record still stands as the longest hitting streak in Major League Baseball history.